This set looks at books from their earliest beginnings through the present day, in both the United States and regions all over the world; not only fiction and literature, but religious works, dictionaries, scientific works, and more.Volume 1 examines the history of World Literature in regions throughout the world, identifying both literature and nonfiction that was influenced by cultural events of its time. It shows how literature developed by period within each region, with such influencers as the spread of Christianity, the development of technology, geographical and cultural experiences, and more.Volume 2 identifies books from the pre-colonial era to the present day that have had lasting significance in the United States. It includes: indigenous writings and writing of European settlers; writings of the Revolutionary War; writings resulting from improved transportation, increased immigration, westward expansion; writings of slavery and civil war; writings resulting from urban growth, mass production, and organized labor; the Great Depression; World War II; the Cold War; the civil and women's rights movements; yuppies; the dot.com craze; media/cable; TV/video; diversity; and, political correctness.